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Antibiotic Prophylaxis

EndocarditisAntibiotic regimen update by the American Heart Association.

THE DENTAL HEALTH PAGE

Periodontal Horizons
Steven J. Spindler, D.D.S.
Periodontal Specialist

Endocarditis- Antibiotic regimen update by the American Heart Association.

Major changes have been recently adopted by The American Heart Association pertaining to antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis. The purpose of this news- letter is to provide you with a concise synopsis of these changes Major changes in the updated recommendations include the following:

 

  • 1. The recommendation emphasizes that most cases of endocarditis do not stem from invasive procedures.

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  • 2. Risk categories are established for varying cardiac conditions as high, moderate, and negligible risk for the potential outcome if endocarditis develops.

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  • 3. Procedures which can cause bacteremias and for which prophylaxis is recommended are more clearly delineated.

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  • 4. Mitral valve prolapse has been set into an algorithm to define when such patients are to be prophylaxed.

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  • 5. The initial dose of amoxicillin is reduced to 2 grams. The follow up dose is no longer recommended for oral or dental procedures. Clindamycin and other alternatives are to be used in penicillin sensitive patients. Additionally, the use of erythromycin has been discontinued. [top]
    • Cardiac conditions associated with endocarditis.
  • High risk category-

    • Prosthetic cardiac valves, including bioprosthetic and homograft valvesPrevious bacterial endocarditis
    Complex cyanotic congenital heart disease (single ventricle states, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot)
    Surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunt. or conduits

     

  • Moderate risk category-

    • Most other congenital cardiac malformations (other than above and below)
    Acquired valvular dysfunction (rheumatic heart disease)
    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
    Mitral valve prolapse with valvular regurgitation and/orthickened leaflets

     

  • Negligible risk category (no greater than the general population)-

    • Isolated secundum atrial septal defect
    Surgical repair of atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus (without residua beyond 6 mo.)
    Previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery
    Mitral valve prolapse without valvular regurgitation
    Physiologic, functional or innocent heart murmurs
    Previous Kawasaki disease without valvular dysfunction
    Previous rheumatic fever without valvular dysfunction
    Cardiac pacemakers (intravascular and epicardial)and implanted defibrillators [top]

    Certainly also of great importance is knowing which dental procedures are most likely to generate a bacteremia. The likelihood of a bacteremia to occur is directly related to the amount of infection and inflammation in area to be operated and the degree of invasiveness of each procedure. The August issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association (vol 128:1147, 1997) has an excellent table of reference which is included at the top of the next page.

     

  • ENDOCARDITIS PROPHYLAXIS RECOMMENDED

    • -Dental extractions
    -Periodontal procedures including surgery, scaling and root planing, probing and recall maintenance
    -Dental implant placement and reimplantation of avulsed teeth
    -Endodontic (root canal) instrumentation or surgery only beyond the apex
    -Subgingival placement of antibiotic fibers or strips
    -Initial placement of orthodontic bands but not brackets
    -Intraligamentary local anesthetic injections
    -Prophylactic cleaning of teeth or implants where bleeding is anticipated. [top]
  • ENDOCARDITIS PROPHYLAXIS NOT ADVISED

    • -Restorative dentistry (operative and prosthodontic) with or without retraction cord
    -Local anesthetic injections (non- intraligamentary)
    -Intracanal endodontic treatment; post placement and buildup
    -Placement of rubber dams
    -Postoperative suture removal
    -Placement of removable prosthodontic or orthodontic appliances
    -Taking of oral impressions
    -Fluoride treatments
    -Taking of oral radiographs
    -Orthodontic appliance adjustment
    -Shedding of primary teeth[top]

    You must exercise sound clinical judgment if you anticipate that a procedure could become invasive and create significant bleeding in a patient with high or moderate risk of bacteremia. Also note: 15 ml (one tablespoon) of chlorhexidine administered for a 30 second rinse can decrease the incidence and magnitude of bacteremia.

     

    Prophylaxis Regimen Summary
    Standard General Prophylaxis-
    Amoxicillin --Adults 2.0g; Children 50mg/kg orally, 1hr prior

     Unable to take oral medications-
    Ampicillin--Adults 2.0g IM or IV given within 30 min prior to appt. Children 50 mg/kg IM or IV within 30 min prior to appt.

     Allergic to Penicillins-
    Clindamycin- Adults 600mg; Children 20mg/kg 1hr prior to appt. OR Cephalexin or Cephadroxil (in patients without immediate penicillin hypersensitivity reactions) Adults 2.0 g; Children 50mg/kg 1hr prior to appt. Azithromycin or clarithromycin- Adults 500mg; Children 15mg/kg 1 hr prior to appointment.

     Allergic to Penicillin and unable to take oral medications -
    Clindamycin- Adults 600mg; children 20mg/kg IV 30 within minutes prior to appt. Cephazolin (in patients without immediate penicillin hypersensitivity reactions) Adults- 1.0g; children- 25mg/kg IM or IV given within 30 min prior to appointment. [top]

    Mitral Valve Prolapse-
    The most important parameter to consider in MVP patients is whether or not there is mitral regurgitation. Any patient with regurgitation must be prophylaxed. Many patients with a history of mitral valve prolapse have no knowledge of whether regurgitation is present. Consultation with the physician is important in these cases. Note- many authorities advise, from medical legal viewpoint it is preferable that the physician prescribe the antibiotic regimen best suited for the patient. This is especially true in cases of major joint prostheses where only a small number of patients may be at a potentially increased risk for hematogenous total joint infection. [top]

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    Periodontal Horizons

    Steven J. Spindler, D.D.S.
    Dr. Spindler provides continuing education to dentists and dental hygienists on this subject and other topics of interest in his specialty of periodontics. He also maintains a full time private practice.
    The information contained in this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice and treatment you would receive by consulting with a health care professional. By providing this service Dr. Spindler is simply providing information to educate, you, the consumer.
    Copyright © 1998  Steven J. Spindler